Fence post and rail assembly

ABSTRACT

The post and rail assembly comprises a post member, three rail members, two stiffening bars and a plurality of paling members. Post and rail members connect through openings on the inside faces of the post member and slotted projections at the ends of rail members. Rail members and paling members are connected by dropping the paling members through a plurality of openings in the rail members. The stiffening bars, post member and rail members are connected by inserting stiffening bars through post openings of a completed fence panel. Stiffening bars are entered into said rail member until they straddle one established batten member. Stiffening bars project an equal distance past the sides of the post member. The post members have three openings on each face. Openings can be staggered on each face to accommodate sloping sites. Stiffening bars may be adapted to pass through the rail and post members.

CLAIM FOR FOREIGN PATENT PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority benefits form Australian patent No. 742,277 filed on Jun. 5, 2001 and issued Dec. 20, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a connecting method of poly vinyl chloride or metal fence rails to fence posts without the need for separate fasteners. Connecting method is particularly suited to fence rails that are centrally slotted to accommodate fence palings but need not be limited to such.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] House holders and professional fence builders would recognize that conventional post and rail connecting methods are time consuming and/or lack good aesthetics. An inexpensive, quick and easy positive connecting method would be desirable to such people.

[0004] The need for on site specialized tools is negated with this connecting method.

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to minimize on site labor costs by providing factory processed detailed connectors for fence posts and rails which, when assembled, will display clean cut lines and strength to completed fence panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The post and rail assembly comprises of a post member, three rail members, two stiffening bars and a plurality of paling members. Said rail members connect to said post member, said paling members connect to said rail members, said stiffening bars connect to said post and said rail members.

[0007] The connection established between post and rail members is through openings on the inside faces of the post member and slotted projections at the ends of rail members. The connection between the rail member and paling member is established by dropping the paling members through a plurality of openings in the rail members. The connection between the stiffening bars, post member and rail members is established by inserting stiffening bars through post openings of a completed fence panel. Stiffening bars are entered into said rail member until they straddle one established batten member. Stiffening bars project an equal distance past the sides of the post member.

[0008] The post members and rail members when connected may be at a right angle with respect to one another. Also the rail members and paling members, when connected, may be at a right angle with respect to one another. The rail members and stiffening bars when connected may be parallel with respect to one another.

[0009] The post member may be used to locate the rail members. Typically the post and rail members are formed as a rectangular hollow section which may be metal or poly vinyl chloride and be elongate.

[0010] The post members may have a number of openings on the inside faces. Typically there are three openings on each face. Openings can be staggered on each face to accommodate sloping sites. An opening is typically rectangular in shape.

[0011] The rail members may have a plurality of openings on one or both edges. The openings may be in alignment. The openings may be rectangular in shape.

[0012] At the ends and at the sides and bottom of the rail members may be projections. These projections may be able to engage with the openings on the posts.

[0013] The paling members may comprise of a pressed hard wood fiber board or poly vinyl chloride which are configured to form a rectangular shape when viewed in plane. They may be elongate and adapted to pass through the rail members.

[0014] The stiffening bar members may comprise of kiln dried dressed hard wood which are configured to form a rectangular shape when viewed in plane. They may elongate and can extend from post to post to increase rail strength in exposed terrain. Stiffening bars may be adapted to pass through the rail and post members. Stiffening bars may be adapted to straddle fence palings and fill the cavity between the palings and the internal walls of the fence rails. Stiffening bars would generally be used on the top and center rails only but would not be limited to such.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] An embodiment of the invention will be illustrated with reference to accompanying drawings in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a partial front view of a fence post and rail assembly including fence palings according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the inside of a fence post member according to FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 3 illustrates a partial perspective view of a mid fence rail member and a top rail member.

[0019]FIG. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of an assembled post member and top rail member according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0020]FIG. 5 illustrates a partial perspective view of an assembled post member, mid rail member and paling member according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4.

[0021]FIG. 6 illustrates a partial perspective view of an assembled post, mid rail member, paling member and stiffener bar members according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4.

[0022]FIG. 7 illustrates a partial perspective view of the fence post member, mid rail member and paling member and rail member inserted over the stiffening bars and locked down into the post member according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6.

[0023]FIG. 8 illustrates a partial perspective view of a fence post and rail joining technique according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a partial fence assembly comprising a post member 1, rail members 2 and paling members 3.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 it can be seen that the post member 1 is formed from a rectangular hollow section. It is hollow and elongate. The post member 1 can have three sets of openings 4 located on the inner walls. The openings 4 are rectangular in shape. Openings can be arranged to allow for the stepping of rails on sloping sites.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 it can be seen that the rail member 2 is formed from a rectangular hollow section. It is hollow and elongate. The rail member 2 has openings 6 located along its length. The openings 6 are rectangular in shape. They are equally spaced along the length of the edge or edges of rail member 2. Extending along the ends of the side and bottom walls of rail member 2 are hooked shape projections 5. Shape of projections permits rails to enter into the post openings 4 and lock down into post openings 4.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 it can be seen that paling member 3 is rectangular in shape when viewed in plane. The paling member 3 is elongate and can be solid or hollow with internal reinforcing ribs.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 6 post member 1 and rail members 2 can be seen coupled together.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 it can be seen how paling members 3 can be dropped through a center rail member 2. Bottom rail member is slotted on the top edge only. Top rail member is slotted on the bottom edge only and/or can have a continuous opening along the bottom edge to accommodate paling widths.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 6 it can be seen that the stiffening bars 7 are inserted into post member 1 at opening no. 4 and established rail member 2. Stiffening bars 7 straddle paling member 3. Stiffening bar members project a sufficient distance out of the opposing face of post member 1 to accommodate future rail member 2 and paling member 3.

[0031] It should be appreciated that various other minor changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention as claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fence post and rail assembly comprising: a post member; a cap member; a plurality of rail members; a plurality of paling members; and a plurality of stiffening bars; said rail members locate in said post member and are strengthened by said stiffening bars; said post member has three openings typically at opposing sides but not limited to such; said rail members connect to said post member, said rail member have equally spaced slots along the center of one or both edges, or may have a central continuous opening along one edge; said rail members have projections at said rail ends, shape of projections allows said rail members to lock into said post openings; said paling members connect to said rail members; said paling members each have a thickness and width complementary to and substantially equal in dimension to the slots in said rail members; said stiffening bar members are located in said post and said rail members; said stiffening bars locate in said post and said rail assemblies after the completion of a fence panel; said stiffening bars straddle the assembled said fence paling nearest to the said post member; said stiffening bars project into adjoining fence panel cavity a distance equal to installed section in assembled fence panel; said stiffening bar members each have a thickness and width complementary to and substantially equal to said post opening height and cavity between inside face of said rail member and face of said paling member.
 2. The fence assembly of claim 1 wherein said stiffening bars locate in said post and said rail members to increase strength of assembled said post and said rail members; said stiffening bars may extend post to post to increase overall strength of an assembled fence panel in exposed areas.
 3. The fence assembly of claim 1 wherein said post member is perpendicular to said rail member when connected.
 4. The fence assembly of claim 1 wherein said paling members are perpendicular to the said rail members when installed.
 5. The fence assembly of claim 1 wherein the said paling members are parallel to the said post member when connected.
 6. The fence assembly of claim 1 wherein the said members are preferably formed from poly vinyl chloride but need no be limited to such; said post member, said rail members and said paling members are formed into rectangular hollow sections.
 7. A method of constructing a fence post and rail assembly comprising a single post member; said post member that typically has three openings on opposing sides; a plurality of rail members; said rail members which have continuous equally spaced slots along the center of one or two edges or a central continuous opening along one edge to accommodate a plurality of paling members; said rail members which have end projections shaped to project half way into said post member which then push down and lock into said post member; said paling members drop through a plurality of mid rail members and bottom rail members; a plurality of top rail members; said top rail members are then entered into slots in the top of said post; entered over the tops of said paling members and locked down into said post; a single post cap member; said post cap is fitted over said post; a plurality of stiffening bars; said stiffening bars are entered into said post openings and are installed into said established rail members; terminating at the far side of the first said paling; said stiffening bar members straddle the first said paling and partially fill the cavity between the inside face of the said fence rail and the face of the said paling; said stiffening bar members project into the adjoining fence panel cavity a distance equal to installed section in the assembled fence panel; said rail members adjoining completed fence panel are entered over established said stiffening bars and entered into post openings and locked down into said post member.
 8. A fence comprising: at least one post; at least one rail engaged to said post; at least one paling member engaged to said rail; and at least one stiffening bar disposed within said rail.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said post is vertically disposed relative to the ground.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said rail is perpendicular to said post.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said paling member is parallel to said post.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a plurality of said paling members are coplanar.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said stiffing bar is disposed within said post.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a plurality of said stiffening bars are disposed on opposite sides of said paling member.
 15. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said rails further comprise: a top rail containing an aperture for receiving said paling member only on the lower side of said top rail; at least one middle rail containing apertures for receiving said paling member only on the upper side and the lower side of said middle rail; and a bottom rail containing an aperture for receiving said paling member only on the upper side of said top rail.
 16. A fence comprising: at least one post; at least one rail engaged to said post; a plurality of paling members engaged to said rail; and wherein said paling members are coplanar.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said post is vertically disposed relative to the ground.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said rail is perpendicular to said post.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said paling member is parallel to said post.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16 at least one stiffening bar disposed within said rail.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said stiffing bar is disposed within said post.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein a plurality of said stiffening bars are disposed on opposite sides of said paling members.
 23. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said rails further comprise: a top rail containing an aperture for receiving said paling member only on the lower side of said top rail; at least one middle rail containing apertures for receiving said paling member only on the upper side and the lower side of said middle rail; and a bottom rail containing an aperture for receiving said paling member only on the upper side of said top rail. 